The Twine Loft – April 2023

Passed On: Earl MacKinnon — Inverness, N.S. fisherman

MacKinnon, 48, passed away on February 5, in Inverness. He was born in Inverness on March 15, 1974. After spending many years pipelining in Alberta, he returned home to work as a fisherman. MacKinnon was a dependable helper who loved being on the ocean working alongside his brothers Junior and Walker.

Passed On: Leonard Henry — Saint John, N.B. boatbuilder

Henry, 70, passed away on February 14, in Saint John. He was born on January 17, 1953, in Saint John. Henry worked at the Saint John Dry Dock as an electrician.

Passed On: Merle Forbes — Shelburne, N.S. fisherman

Forbes, 88, passed away in Shelburne on February 21. He was born in Woods Harbour, N.S. on April 16, 2023. He started fishing at a young age and at age 19 took over his grandfather’s boat. Forbes retired at 65 and began a new hobby of building model boats.

Passed On: Michael MacDonald — East Point, P.E.I. fisherman

MacDonald, 68, passed away on January 21. He was born on April 23, 1954. A long-time fisherman, MacDonald spent 50 years fishing in North Lake, Prince Edward Island.

Passed On: Paul Vacon — Yarmouth, N.S. bait harvester

Vacon, 83, passed away in Yarmouth on February 9. He was born in Quinan on May 4, 1939. During his life, Vacon spent time working as a blood worm harvester.

Passed On: Arthur LeBlanc — Wedgeport, N.S. fisherman

Leblanc, 75, passed away in Yarmouth, N.S. on February 9. He was born on February 17, 1947, on Morris Island, N.S. He began lobster fishing at the age of 14 and went on to finish his career as a scalloper for Comeau Seafoods. After retirement, he could be found either fishing for mackerel or haddock.

Passed On: Barry Doane — Shelburne, N.S. fisherman

Doane, 67, passed away in Shelburne on February 1. He was born on June 22, 1955. Doane followed the family tradition of being a fisherman, which he truly loved and gave his all.

Passed On: Trueman Waybret — Oak Park, N.S. fisherman

Waybret, 83, passed away in Shelburne on January 31. He was born on September 20, 1939. Waybret loved to be on the water fishing and lobstering in his younger years. Later, he enjoyed driving to the wharves to check up on the fishermen.

Passed On: Jeffery Handspiker — Digby, N.S. boatbuilder

Handspiker, 64, passed away on January 13. He was born on February 21, 1958. Handspiker spent his early years working at local businesses such as Larche’s and Tidal Boatworks, which led to opening his own business. For the last 40 years, he was the popular “go-to” for fishermen and business owners for his vast knowledge in the field.

Passed On: Michael O’Callaghan — Shelburne, N.S. fisherman

O’Callaghan, 19, passed away on January 26. He was born on February 8, 2003. O’Callaghan’s favourite place was the ocean, lobster fishing with his father. He loved his chosen profession, including the early morning hours and hard work involved.

Passed On: Ray Nickerson — Yarmouth, N.S. mariner and fisherman

Nickerson, 79, passed away in Yarmouth on February 9. He was born on November 4, 1943. Nickerson served in the Canadian Navy and was very proud of his expedition to Easter Island. He dedicated his life to being a fisherman.

Passed On: Carleton Smith — Liverpool, N.S. boatbuilder and fish plant worker

Smith, 61, passed away in Bridgewater, N.S. on February 10. He was born in Liverpool, N.S. He worked for Mersey Seafoods as well as performing maintenance and ship repainting.

Passed On: Ivan Fisher — Port Moulton, N.S. fish plant worker and fisherman

Fisher, 89, passed away in Liverpool, N.S. on February 7. He was born in Port Moulton. Fisher worked for Nickerson Bros. fish plant and C.W. McLeod Fisheries all his life.